They both sat down at the courtyard where Cinderella had brought out 'their very own' winter's potted dandelion for Prince Andrew to behold, miraculously with its light white tuft of pollen still resting on the thin stalk of plant. He fondly knew that it must have been her soft tender heart overflowing with delicate care for the rare flower that has kept its beauty until now. When his gaze first fell upon her from a distance in the ball, he had heard his heart calling out for her, away from the crowds of common maidens of the kingdom...If he could be truly honest with himself, it was something more than beyond her outward beauty that captivated his emotions...The very moment he laid his eyes on her, it was as if he could see through what was merely on the outside and caught hold of the depths of love, kindness and a girl's compassion that were hidden like precious jewels within her heart. Her name too - felt more priceless than choice silver or gold...It belonged to the one and only her in this whole world.
This morning, he also did not forget to bring her the prettiest forget-me-nots from the castle gardens, all handpicked painstakingly by him for quite some hours last night. Cinderella was most delighted by his gesture.
"Thank you so much, Andrew...I thought that I would never see them again," she smiled as he placed the nicely decorated ribbon-tied bouquet with many baby breaths into her hands.
He hoped she received the message which the name of those cute little blue flowers conveyed. "Do you like music?" He asked affectionately, to which Cinderella nodded her head quietly in response.
Andrew then took out a silvery flute from his cloak pocket, surprising Cinderella. He smiled and waited for her cue to let him start playing. She smiled gladly and lowered her hands full of forget-me-nots and he understood that he could begin.
Cinderella did not expect that he also knew the 'Sweet Nightingale' song which she often sang while cleaning the floors inside the home. As he played so skillfully, she was mesmerised by his gift of talent and began to hum and sweetly sing the endearing song...
Overhearing them, Major, Bruno(Malcolm and Bert), Jaq, Gus, Tuf and Gag, Rain(Andrew's female horse) and the rest of the bluebirds and animals in the courtyard gradually went up close to the pair of lovers and gathering around the bench where they sat, were each drawn to listening attentively and dreamily to their song and music together...
Thank you Guest for your nice and encouraging comments! I hope this shorter chapter doesn't disappoint you...Been busy with other stories. ^_^